Northwest Nova

1962 - 67 Chevy II - Nova - Acadian
Parts & Accessories
(541) 788-2191

Contents

1. What is an RPO Code?
--1962 RPO CODES--
2. Engine
3. Transmission
4. Chassis
5. Tires
6. Body

What is an RPO Code?

An RPO code is the alphanumeric system GM uses for identifying options to be installed at the factory during vehicle production.  It is in essence a top-level "part" number used to identify assemblies and systems, such as air conditioning, that the buyer has chosen for their new vehicle. 

"RPO" stands for Regular Production Option(s). The other related term is "FOA" Factory Optional Accessory.  These options can range from high performance engines to tissue dispensers.  Some of these options were rare, one year only features; the 1965 Chevy II AM / FM radio for example.  Others were common, offered year after year; power accessories such as brakes & steering.  The codes were normally found on the various order related paperwork (dealer invoice, order form, build sheet, etc.).  On Canadian built vehicles they were also stamped on the cowl tag.

Factory installed RPOs will and do overlap with dealer installed options, referred to as Dealer Installed Accessories in the GM literature.  The dealer installed items normally do not have a code associated with them, just the GM part or assembly number.  The optional item was in the dealership's parts inventory or coming from the GM warehouse, not the factory assembly line.  Not all factory options could be dealer installed and not all dealer installed accessories were factory options.  This however should not be treated as an absolute, as an exception to the rule can almost always be found in this era. 

There are many cases of individual dealers offering and installing unique (non-GM) accessories as sales gimmicks or aftermarket performance products as optional upgrades. These would not have had RPO codes.  Alternatively, using the larger pool of RPO code offerings some found creative ways of ordering cars to include options, or combinations of options, not officially available on a specific model vehicle—the COPO Camaros being the most famous example of such practices.  The COPO process was legitimately meant for ordering things like fleet service vehicles (military, USPS) or batches of cars headed for overseas markets.

RPO codes were generally standard between vehicle lines, but unique ones occur when the option or accessory was specific to a particular car or model.  GM (at least with the Chevy II) changed the numbering convention in 1963 from three numbers (i.e. 345), to a letter followed by two numbers (i.e. T60).  One often sees RPO codes for the 1962 Chevy II lumped in with the 1963 and later alphanumeric convention.  In reality 1962 used a different coding system borrowed from other Chevrolets of the period.

What follows is a list of the RPO codes associated with the 1962 Chevy II / Nova.  The corresponding 1963 RPO codes are provided as well (when applicable) for reference.  This data has been pulled from original GM documents, not websites or forums.  There easily could be errors or codes missing, old GM docs are not perfect resources.

Engine 

Optional Item 1962 RPO Code 1963 RPO Code Applicable Model(s)
Battery, Heavy Duty 345 T60 All
Clutch, Heavy Duty 227 M01 All
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV), Special 244 --- All
Generator—35 Amp 338 --- All
Generator—Delcotron 12~42 Amp 317 K79 All
Generator—Delcotron 5~52 Amp 434 K82 All
Generator—Delcotron 23~62 Amp 435 K81 All
Radiator, Heavy Duty 257 V01 All

 

Transmission 

Optional Item 1962 RPO Code 1963 RPO Code Applicable Model(s)
Powerglide 314 M35 All

 

Chassis 

Optional Item 1962 RPO Code 1963 RPO Code Applicable Model(s)
Axle, Rear—3.36:1 Ratio 214 G76 6-cyl Except Wagons
Axle, Rear—3.08:1 Ratio 203 --- 100 & 300 Series Except Wagons
Axle, Rear—3.36:1, 3.08:1 Ratios, Limited Slip 676 G80 All Except Wagons
Axle, Rear—3.55:1 Ratio, Limited Slip 676 G80 All 4-cyl
Brakes—Metallic 686 J65 All
Brakes—Power 403 J50 All
Disks, Wheel (Hubcaps) 126 P01 All
Disks, Wheel Simulated Wire (Hubcaps) 133 P02 All
Police Car Chassis Equipment 599 Z04 100 Series 4-door Sedan, 6–cyl
Shock Absorbers, Heavy Duty, Rear 200 F40 1 All Except Wagons
Springs—Heavy Duty, Front 253 F40 1 All
Springs—Heavy Duty, Rear 593 F40 1 All
Steering, Power 392 N40 All

1. The F40 "special suspension package" replaced the individual upgrade options in 1963.

 

Tires 

Optional Item 1962 RPO Code 1963 RPO Code Applicable Model(s)
6.00 x 13–4 pr., Whitewall 483 P50 2 & 4-door Sedans
6.50 x 13–4 pr., Blackwall 491 P52 2 & 4-door Sedans
6.50 x 13–4 pr., Whitewall 661 P53 All
6.50 x 14–4 pr., Blackwall 1796 P66 All
6.50 x 14–4 pr., Whitewall 1798 P67 All
7.00 x 13–4 pr., Whitewall 449 P54 Station Wagons

 

Body 

Optional Item 1962 RPO Code 1963 RPO Code Applicable Model(s)
Air Conditioning 135 C60 All
Arm Rests, Rear 248 D10 100 Series
Belt Unit, Front Seat 148 A37 All
Bumper Guard, Rear 150 V32 All Except Wagons
Comfort and Convenience Equipment (Package):
  • Back-up Lamps
  • Inside Prismatic Mirror (Day / Night)
  • Outside Mirror (LH)
  • 2-Speed Windshield Wipers w/ Washer
  • Glove Box Light (Except 400 Series)
147 Z01 All
Folding Top Equipment, Electric 373 C06 467 (400 Convertible)
Folding Top Colors 470 C05 467 (400 Convertible)
Glass Tinted (Windshield Only or Complete) 398 A01 (Complete) | A02 (Windshield) All
Grille Guard, Front 140 | 149 2 V20 All
Pad, Instrument Panel (Dash Pad) 428 B70 All
Police Car Body Equipment 594 B01 100 Series 4-Door Sedan, 6-cyl
Radio, Manual 141 U60 All
Radio, Push–Button 142 U63 All
Second Seat, Split 259 A66 Station Wagons
Tailgate Window, Power 424 A33 Station Wagons
Taxicab Equipment 211 B02 100 Series 4-Door Sedan

2. We have found two different numbers listed for the front grille guard RPO code, but never an explanation why.  Could be an error, could be a supercede scenario. To complicate things, one 1962 reference lists both.